In Situ Formation of Metal Carbide Catalysts

Metal carbide catalysts are essential to many widely used chemical processes. Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, methane dehydroaromatization and biomass conversion catalysts are typically prepared in situ from a metal oxide precursor with a carbon-containing gas. The reduction process of the metal oxide affects the final catalyst, as does the carburization gas mixture and metal promoters. By looking at materials that are carburized in situ, new insights can be gained about catalyst activation, fuel processing, and deactivation stages. The main focuses of this Review are iron carbide, molybdenum carbide and nickel carbide; analyzing catalyst synthesis methods, reduction steps, in situ carburization and improvements to the native processes. By combining years of research on these catalysts, trends and similarities are observed that can be used to improve current catalytic studies.